NIGERIA: Tinubu Cancels Events To Mourn Stampede Victims In Abuja, Anambra

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The President of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has cancelled all his official engagements in Lagos to honor the victims of recent stampedes in Abuja and Anambra.

Ten people, including children, lost their lives during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.

Meanwhile, an unconfirmed number of individuals from Okija, Anambra, also died in another stampede during a rice distribution event on Saturday morning.

The president’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed that the president planned to attend the 2024 Lagos Boat Regatta, as he was expected to watch the event, organised by the Lagos government, from the waterfront of his Queen’s Drive residence in Ikoyi.

According to Onanuga, several dignitaries, including senior Lagos officials and the white cap chiefs, had already gathered at the venue when the president decided to cancel his appearance after being briefed on the tragedies.

The statement also highlighted that the president expressed his condolences to the victims’ families and called on state governments and relevant authorities to enforce stricter crowd control measures.

The president therefore urged local and state authorities to hold organisations and corporate entities accountable for lapses during charitable and humanitarian activities.

“Our prayers are with the grieving families who have lost loved ones in this season of joy and celebration. May they find divine comfort and healing,”Tinubu said.